Yoon: "Transform into a military that fights and wins... Swift and decisive retaliation against North Korean provocations"

President's First Meeting with All Key Military Commanders at Gyeryongdae... "Ensuring Command Conditions to Achieve Defense Innovation"

President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam, on the morning of the 6th and ordered the formulation of military strategies, including responses to North Korean provocations.

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 6th, President Yoon Seok-yeol chaired the first All-Army Major Commanders Meeting since his inauguration and instructed, "Become a military force that fights and wins." President Yoon, who ordered a swift and resolute retaliation against North Korean provocations, also promised active support for defense innovation.

That morning, President Yoon held the All-Army Major Commanders Meeting at Gyeryongdae, where the headquarters of the three armed forces are located, marking the first time a president has done so, and conveyed the military response measures.

In his opening remarks, President Yoon expressed gratitude to all soldiers and military personnel, including commanders of various units dedicated to their duties across the front and rear lines and overseas. He especially emphasized, "As security uncertainties in the Republic of Korea and Northeast Asia are higher than ever, strong defense capabilities must back the country's security and national interests," and presented the ‘four key defense promotion plans’: ▲dramatically strengthening the ability to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats ▲rapid deployment of AI-based manned-unmanned complex systems ▲improving working conditions for military officers and guaranteeing commanders’ command authority ▲world-class veterans’ affairs that take full responsibility for military service.

First, President Yoon ordered, "If North Korea provokes, respond swiftly and decisively." He stressed, "No matter the cost, protecting the lives and property of the people, territory, and sovereignty is the mission of the military," and said, "We must firmly demonstrate our resolve for this." He also mentioned preparing countermeasures to deter North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons and missiles, including the Korean-style three-axis system.

He also urged the cultivation of a strong military based on artificial intelligence (AI) and science and technology. This is why key officials from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and each military branch, including Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom, as well as officials from related ministries such as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, attended the meeting. President Yoon discussed ways to unite military and government efforts to overcome the severe security situation and foster an advanced scientific and technological military based on AI.

President Yoon said, "We will guarantee command conditions so that our military can establish a defense posture capable of fighting and winning and achieve defense innovation," adding, "Since this is to transform our military into a force that fights and wins, please recognize it as a mission of the times and actively promote it."